The author takes a look at the church at Ephesus through the lens of 1 Timothy. Three problems that arose in the life of the church are reflected upon: asceticism (1 Timothy 4:1-5), legalism (1 Timothy 1:3-17), and materialism (1 Timothy 6:3-19).

Tertullian is often an unattractive figure to modern people. He had a strict asceticism, and his departure into Montanism does not help to popularize him. This paper focuses on what Tertullian's position was with regard to philosophy (notably irrationalism) and the philosophers of his day.